Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has urged manager Arsene Wenger to sign up Lille star Gervinho, on the same day that arch-rivals Tottenham had a bid rejected for the Ivory Coast international.

Gervinho, who can play on the wing or as a striker, played a key role as Lille won both the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France last season and Les Dogues face a fight to hold on to the highly-rated 25-year-old.

Lille general manager Frederic Paquet claims he has already "received an offer of €12 million (£10.6m) from Tottenham which was refused" and Djourou believes Gervinho would be an ideal signing to help Arsenal challenge for silverware.

"I have followed a bit of the French league this season and I have to say Gervinho is a great player," Djourou told Goal.com. "I have known him for a long time and he is just a great player - quick, with so much talent and good skills.

"He is a great, great talent and we need that because he can play as a striker, as a No.10 or on the wing. He has all the ingredients to play for Arsenal, that is a definite."

Lille will be desperate to keep Gervinho ahead of next season's Champions League campaign having already sold Yohan Cabaye to Newcastle.